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^'us;ufn library
Ancient Mexico in Miniature
Pre-Columbian Clay Figures from, the
Collection of Frances Pratt and Bumpei Usui
COOPER UNION MUSEUM
June 20th through August 19th, 1966
'A 32 71
ANCIENT MEXICO IN MINIATURE
As exenplified in the snail clay sculpture of Mexico, probably no other
people of ancient tines left such a tangible record of their daily life, both
secular and religious. Ceranic art vjas highly developed as early as I5OO B.C.,
in the Valley of Mexico, and the tradition was widespread throughout the
country until the Spanish Conquest in I52I.
With the exeption of nold-made pieces produced froi.i late Maya through
Aztec tiroes, miniature sculpture vjas freely modeled. Pre-Classic figures, or
those dating b6.£pCG or around the first century of the Christian era, relied
heavily on a technique of rolling pellets of clay and appliqueing then on the
nain body as facial features and adornments. It is interesting to note the
finesse vji th vjhich elaborate coiffures and jeulery were executed, and the
apparent regard in vjhich hi,c-h fashion vjas held. Though probably significant
as fertility fip.ures, those fron Tlatilco, Chupicuaro and Kichoacan reflect a
stylishly coiffed and ornanented, though otherwise,, nude people.
After the first century A.D. , a great variety of genre work, illustrating
daily life, was produced in VJestern Mexico, particularly in the states of
Colina, Nayarit and Jalisco. ViJhile applique was still used, forns were
inclined to be nore fully expanded, and there via.s increased use of color and
burni shing.
PigurativG work fror: the Vera Cruz area represents a nunber of periods,
from the early, simplified Fanuco figure through later, naturalistic ceremonial
representa.tions , It is rrenerally true that the later works reflected a more
sophisticated religious concept. This is apparent in the Aztec period vjhere
temples and important personages were frequently portrayed.
ANCIENT ilEXICO IN ;'I1\IIaTU:;E
Apart from their story-telling significance, Pre-Colunbian miniatures have an
aQsthstictappcal due, in large measure, to the reverent convictions of their
nakers. The figures transcend tine and place to make a universally
recognizable artistic statement.
Frances Pratt
ANCIENT rEXICO IN riNIATURE
Page 1
From Valley of Mexico
Pre-Classic period (c. I5OO - 5OO B.C.
1. STAfiDING "GHOST" FIGURE
Canitas, 2 l/k"
2. STAFDING FIGURE ( Olmec)
Puebla, h 1/8"
3. ST-«_NDING FIG' RS
Tlatilco, 3 3/8"
k. ELONGATED FEiULE FIGURE
Tlapacoya, h"
16. STANDING FIGURE, DOUBLE HEADED
L'ichoacan, 1 3/^"
17. STANDING FIGURE, BRaIDED
HEADDRESS
Chupicuaro, U- 3/8"
18. standing figure vjitk flo!.'er
Earrings
lichoacan, U"
19. STANDING FIGURE iHTH TURBaN
Michoacan, k 3/4-"
5. STANDING FEJiALE FIGURE ilTH SKIRT
Tia^iicO} 'yi/H" ■
6. FEI'.JALE DANCER
TiatirciD*, 3 i/8"
7. STANDING FIGURE
1 3A"
8. DOUBLE HEADED FIGURE
1 7/8"
20. SEATED FEiiALE FIGURE WITH
HEADDRESS
Cuanalan, 2 I/8"
From State of Guanajuato
Late Pre-Classic period (c. 1+00 B.C.
100 A.D.)
21. STANDING FIGURE, ARi; UPRaISED
Chupicuaro, 2 l/2"
9. STANDING FIGURE
Tlatilco, 2 1/2'
22. STANDING FIGURE
Xalostoc, 2 3/8"
10. STANDING FIFURE V.'ITH LEAF CROWN
Tlatilco, k 3/8"
11. ANIMAL (Tejon)
Tlatilco, 1"
12. SEATED FIGURE
Tlapacoya, 2" ^
13. STANDING FIGURE VJITH MASK
Michoacan, 4"
14. STANDING FIGURE, HANDS ON HAIR
I'ichoacan, 3 7/8"
23. STANDING FIGURE
Chupicuaro, h"
Fron Valley of liexico
Pre-Classic period (c. I5OO-5OO B.C.)
2^. STANDING FEKALE FIGURE
El Arbolillo, 5 1 /k"
25. FIGURE IN REGaLIA
Tlapacoya, 6 l/ h"
15- DOGS, RUNNING
Michoacan, 1 3/h"
ANCI5WT MEXICO IN IIIWIATURE
PaGE 2
From State of Guerrero, Western Mexico
Pre-Classic tradition ( c. 200 B.C. -
200A.D. )
26. STAHDIWG HALE FIGURE
2 3A"
27. STANDING FIGURE >.TTH BABY
2 "
38. MOTHER HOLDING BABY
2 1/2"
39. ".miSTLE IN THE FORli OF ^. "SiiARRIOR
FIGURE
!+"
kO. "ivaRRIOR VJITH SHIELD
28. STANDING FIGURE
k 1/2"
^•1. IIO-MEN FLAYING a DRUl.i
2 lA"
From Valley of Mexico
Pre-Classic period ( c. 1500 .-> 509 B.C.
29. STANDING FIGUR;^ (Panuco II )
Vera Cruz, 3 3A"
Frori State of Colina, Vlestorn Mexico
Early Classic period ( c. 3OO -60O A.D.
30. DOG
2 1/2"
31. DOG
1 7/8"
32. DOG
1 3/h"
33. STANDING FIGURE HOLDING BABY
3 3/^"
34. SEATED MOTHER WITH B^BY aND
SUNSHADE
1+"
■^5. CHILD SEATED ON a STOOL
2 3/8"
36. A PUPIY
3A"
37. BABY IN CRIB
1 1/8"
^2. '.-'HISTLE IN THE FORM OF STRONG
. IiAN
) 1 7/8"
4-3. .jHISTLE IK THE FORM OF STRONG
MAN
2 1/8"
kk. A -.GHI-EE IN £, PaLDNOTIN •
) CHIEF 1 7/8"
PALENaUIN 3 1/8"
1+5. VmiSTLE IK THE FORM OF STRONG
LaN
2 3/8"
1+6. V/HISTLE IN THE FORM OF STRONG ••
KaK
21/8"
H-'J. V/HiESffiE IK: THE- PS)BE Oi?, -STRONG
ILAW
2 1/2"
!+8. .'HISTLE IN THE FORM OF HUNCHBACK
2 1/2"
1+9. ;;histle in the form of seaTed
FIGURE
2 1/2"
GROUP OF SEVEN DaNCERS:
50. 3 7/8"
51. 3 3/8"
ANCIENT I EXICO IN IvIINIaTURE
PAGE 3
52. 3 3/8"
53. 3 lA"
5U. 3 1/2"
5?. 3 1/2"
56. 3 3 A"
57. A DRUT'I'TER
2 1/8-
58. ^THISTLE IN THE FORI,: OF A BIRD
2 1/2"
59. WHISTLE IN THE FORiM OF A M^.N
VJITH A FISH'S HEAD
3 3/8"
60. BOUND FIGURE ..ITH a DOG
1"
61. STANDING FIGURE
k 7/8"
GROUP OF THREE RECLINING FIGURES:
62. 2"
63. 2 1/2"
61+. 2 3/^"
65. ^.CROBAT
2 1/4"
66. THREE FIGURES psrfor::ii;g a rite
G'J. A COUPLE EI/ BRACING
2"
68. PEACOCK ,ITH DOG
69. rmisTLi; in the forii of a feacock
WITH DOG
k 1/2"
70. FIGURE SEATED ON a STOOL
k 1/2"
71. aN AFFECTIONATE FAMILY: Fi^THER,
MOTHER ..ND 3A3Y ( Baby's head
is missing )
3 1/8"
72» l/HISTLE IN THE FORT OF FIGURE
WITH PLaTS AND J.J?
3"
73, STANDING COUPLE
5 l/k"
7M-. seaTed couple
3 3/8"
Fron State of Nayarit, Western t.iexico
Early Classic period (c, 300^600 • A t.D» ).
75 o DOG STANDING ON HEAD OF a
SSAT2D FIGURE
3 3/8"
76. VESSEL IN THE FORJ.I OF A SEaTED
GOUjtLE
3 1/8"
77. FATHER HOLDING HIS SON OH HIS
SHOULDERS
78. SEATED FIGURE I.'EkRING A FaNCY
CAPE
2 3/h"
79. SEATED FIGURE .<ITH TVjO DOGS
3 3/8"
80. SEATED FIGURE DRINKING FROM
A BOVJL THROUGH A TUBE
3 3/^"
81. SEATED FIGURE V;iTH x-. Bi.BY
( Chinesco )
3 1/4 "
82. SEATED FIGURE UITH SHIELD
( Chinesco )
2 7/8"
83. SEATED FIGURE "A'lTH BaBY
( Chinesco )
i+ 3/8"
ANCIENT liEXICO IN MINIATURE
PAGE h
84. SEATED FIGURE ( Chinesco )
2 3/8"
85. SEATED FIGURE PLAYING MUSICAL
INSTRUilENT
3 3/^"
86. U'HISTLE IN THE FORM OF A COILED
SNAKE
3A"
97. SE^-TED FIGURE HOLDING .^ FLOUER
3 1/2"
Froin State of Vera Cruz
Classic period (c. 3OO-60O .^.D.)
Figures 98-IO5, IO7-IO9, 112 &
116, fron Reraojadas
98. SS.1.TED I.ONKEY, EATING
3 1/2"
87.
SEATED FIGURE .ITil PaRaSOL AND
99.
SMALL llONICEY
DOG
1 lA"
5 i/k-
100.
fOUSE
88.
CURLED UP DOG
1 l/2"
2"
101.
l.ONKEY
89.
RECUMBENT FIGURE WITH ATTElIDv.NT
3 1/2"
2 3/'+"
From State of Jalisco, 'Jestern Iiexico
Early Classic period (c. 3OO-60O A.D.)
or earlier
102. FIGURE TEARING ^ HELIiET
3 1/2"
103. FIGURE UE-.RING a HAT
If I/I+"
90. SEi-.TEJ liOTHER AND B.-.BY
5 1/8"
91. STANDING FIGURE
k"
92. standing figure wearing earrings
hND necklace
3 3/*+"
93. SEATED MOTHER AND BABY
•+ 1/2"
9I+. SEATED FIGURE OF VfOliJ-JJ .JITH A
LONG NOSE
5 i/U"
95. l-iALS FIGURE
2 7/8"
96. FEVALE FIGURE
3 1/2"
10^-. FIGURE i.'E^RING A CAPE i.ND
HEId.'ET
3 3/8"
105. SEaTEj ivkN ;JITH ARLS CROS ED
ON KNEES
3 1/2"
106. FIGURE WEARING BIRD iiASK
3 1/2"
107. FIGURE WEiulING ANIIIAL iJASK AND
HOLDING MUSICaL INSTRUliENT
k 7/8"
108. FIGURE, POSSIBLY aN EXECUTIONER
3 7/8"
109. FIGURE WIJaRING a BIRD IIaSK
k 1/2"
ANCIENT MEXICO IN MINIATURE.
Page 5
110.
A r/HISTLE
k 3/8"
111.
A miSTLE
3"
112.
I/OTHER AMD BABY
h 1/2"
113.
FIGURATIVE iraiSTLE
2 l/k"
nil.
A '.VHISTLE
3 1/2"
115.
A WHISTLE
3 l/h"
116.
WHISTLE
h 1/2"
117.
FIGURE ^'JITH ELEPHANT MASK
1+ 1/2"
118.
FIGURE WEARING ANIl':AL JIASK
k 1/8"
119. ..'HISTLE IN THE FORI' OF A B..I
3 1/2"
120. FANTASTIC FIGURE
k 1/2"
121. Fantastic figure
i+"
From Valley of Mexico
Pre-Classic tradition (c. 200 B.C,
200 A.D. )
122. SEATED FIGURE iVITH FSaTHERS
Teotihuacan, 2"
123. SEATED FIGURE
Teotihuacan, 2 I/8"
I2I+. SEATED FIGURE
Teotihuacan, 1 l/2"
125. ST...NDING FIGURE
Teotihuacan, U 3/8"
126. STANDING FIGURE
Teotihuacan, 4 3/8"
127. S-...TED FIGURE WEARING CAFE
Teotihuacan, 3"
128. SE.:.TED FIGURE JE .RING A HaT
Teotihuacan, 2 I/2"
12Sg' STANDING FIGURE ijEaRING CaPE
aND IVIDE HaT
Teotihuacan, 5 3/8"
130, SEATED FIGURE BLO'.VING ON .A
CONCH
Xca;eihuacan, 2 3/k"
131. lusicaL instrui'ent in the fori
OF A STaNDING figure
Teotihuacan, k l/2"
From State of Yucatan
( c. 700 - 1000 A.D. )
132. OViL
laya, 3 1/8"
133. O'.JL
Maya, 3 3/*+"
I3I+. FIGURE OF AN OFFICI.^L
( Island of Jaina )
Maya, 3 I/8"
Fron Valley of I'.'exico and State of
Vera Cruz
{ 1300 - 1500 A.D. )
135. SE...T3D FIGURE
AZtec, k 5/8"
136. SEATED FIGURE
Aztec, k- 5/8"
ANCIENT }:EXICO IN MINIATURE FACE 6
137. MINIATUHE TEMPLE SURMOUNTED BY
I'lND GOD
Aztec, ? lA"
I3P. STATUETTE OF WIND GOD
Aztec, 3 1/8"
139. SEATED FIGURE
Aztec, k 3A"
1^+0. DOUBLE TElviPLE
Aztec, 3 3A"
li+l. TEwPLE ,JITH A STEEP ROOF
Aztec, 3 3A"
II+2. TE1.;PLE ViTlTH A FEAICED ROOF
Aztec, k"
II+3. ROUND T£2;?LE WITH A STE3P ROOF
Aztec, 4"
Ikh. ROUND TEIiPLE
Aztec, 3 3A"
lh3. DOUBLE TErPLE
Aztec, 3 3/8"
l46„ 3IND GOD ON TELIPLE
Aztec, 6 1/2"
ik'J. ROUND TSIiPLE
Aztec, 3 7/8"
II+8. TEMPLE WITH CONICAL ROOF
Aztec, 5"
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